BYU Football

Yep, it's time again! Football Season. Hmmm...don't know how I really feel about it. Saturday morning was Christmas morning to Troy. I think he actually woke Kristin up (instead of vice versa). He's so happy to be here to go to the games. Unfortunately, I think that was a key factor in us moving here. I am happy it makes Troy so happy, but I do hate how it consumes life. When we lived out of state, he would call around to sports bars to find who was playing the BYU game for that day. He would miss out on sleep (due to working graveyard) to watch games. (I know some of you are laughing, but I also know some of you go through the same thing with your husbands!) So, it's a big deal that he has tickets this season. It's been 8 years since we have lived in Utah and gone to football games. We have 3 season tickets to the games. We got 3 so that Troy could take the boys. I used one of my dad's tickets on Saturday so we could go as a family. BIG MISTAKE! I'm really glad we only got 3 season tickets, instead of 5. It was SO hot! It had to be at least 95 degrees during the whole game. Our seats were in the NorthEast Corner, so NO CHANCE OF SHADE THE WHOLE GAME! I had Haley in the pack. After sitting for all of 10 minutes in the sun, I went to find my dad's seats, over on the Cougar Club side. (In the shade). So, with Haley in the pack, hauling a HUGE diaper bag, and holding Kristin's hand, we made it to the complete opposite side of the field, and went up all the bleachers and found our seats. It was so crowded over there! Kristin sat on my uncle's lap for a bit, but it was too uncomfortable to stay for too long. So, I headed back down to find Troy. When I found him (halftime), I promptly took the car keys, instructed him to get a ride home with Cherice, and took the girls and walked the mile to the car (still in 95 degree heat) and headed home. Troy said he and the boys had a great time. Troy's family has at least 20 tickets all together, so they all sat together, and had a blast. I'm glad they'll have the opportunity to do that for the next 5 games. I will be at home. (Except for the BYU v UTAH game, I will have to get a sitter - I would like to go to that game...not with my girls though!) Anyways, I did manage to get a few pictures.

Here are the group of family seats...who can you pick out?

I do think Haley was the cutest Cougar fan there! It was wear Blue day. I wanted to get the girls cute BYU PINK shirts. Troy said absolutely not, they had to wear blue. (It's his one thing he can be picky about - so he got his way) So, I got Haley a headband. Notice how all the kids cheeks are pink. This is what they looked like after walking from the car to the stadium. I found a tree to sit under to cool down before we headed into the game. Troy went to buy water for us to guzzle before we went into the stadium. You're not allowed to take anything in. SO IRRITATING! They made us dump out Haley's bottle because it had water in it! Then, when you get into the stadium, lines are forever long (literally - there are probably people still there waiting in line) to fill up their water bottles. We did learn a little sneaky trick. They check your backpacks, but not your pockets. So, we packed our cargo shorts pockets (Troy's and mine) with graham crackers for Haley and treats for the bigger kids. Come on BYU, there has got to be a better way! More drinking fountains? That are easier to fill water bottles quickly?

Here is one last picture I took right before I left. All the boys are pretending they are cougars. (They are clawing at the camera) So, football season is here...all I can say is, Go Cougars!

MicroLipids

Well, Haley was on Microlipids for all of 3 days. Everytime I gave it to her, she would vomit...not just spit up, but vomit. The first few times, I thought it was just a fluke. Nope! (She probably lost more calories vomitting than what the microlipids were suppossed to give her)When she did it again today, I called the on-call doctor(there's always a doctor or nurse practitioner from my office who is always on call. There are 4 docs and 2 np's. They are all really awesome!). Luckily it was Dallen, the nurse practitioner, who has been the one trying to figure Haley out - who was on call. I told him what the deal was, and he told me to immediately stop giving her the microlipids. He said if he had to go to Primary Children's Hospital, he would speak to a GI doc tomorrow. Hopefully the GI doc will return his call. I really hope we get somewhere. It is making me crazy!

Photo Shoot...

While Sarah was here, I asked her if I could take her kids pictures. Here are my favorites!

Visitors!

This past week was crazy busy around here! Sarah and her kids came to visit. I say it was crazy because we had at least 7 kids here all day! I don't care who you are, 7 kids is a lot. All under the age of 7, also! It was fun though! The kids loved playing together and did really well playing together (as well as kids normally do!) One night, we had a girls party. We invited Amy and Carrie over. All former Oregonians. The kids played outside until almost 10:00 when we made them come in. We just gave them glowsticks, and they had a blast! I thought it might be crazier with Amy's 2 kids here, but the kids were awesome...just goes to show, the more the merrier. Cari also came up and did hair. WE LOVE CARI! We tried to keep the kids busy, and having fun, but we had a lot of nap schedules to work around, and with that many kids, naps were first on the priority list! We went to a splash park near my house a few times. The kids were in heaven! They had a blast! I'm glad the weather was nice enough for us to spend a few hours there! We also did a girls night. Carrie came over and put Hannah in the pack and play in the basement. We got ALL the kids to sleep, and hit a late night movie, just Carrie, Sarah, Sarah's sister, Kelly, and me! It was fun. I wasn't too fond of the movie, but any night away is great, and well worth it! I took Sarah to Ikea. We arrived 30 minutes before they opened, just to assure that our kids would fit into the play center. We were first in line. After hyping all the kids up on how fun the daycare was going to be, little Noah wasn't tall enough to go in. So he cried for awhile during our visit, but it was still fun. (I also ran into my RS Pres from VA, wierd...but fun) Anyways, it was a fun visit! The kids had such a great time together, and it was fun getting to hang out with my friends again! Here are some pictures (somehow I missed getting a picture of Zacky! SORRY!)...

We're up for visitor's anytime!

Diagnosed? Nah, of course not...

Well, one of Haley's docs called on Friday. He can't seem to get in touch with a pediatric GI (won't call him back - hmmm...how does it feel?) so until he can, he is having us put MicroLipids into Haley's formula. It is a fatty liquid that is suppossed to give her extra calories. She will get weighed in on Friday...we'll see what happens. Haley eats a ton, so I don't know how a few extra calories is going to do much. It's very cheap though ($13 for 5 bottles - will probably last 5 months) , so I do feel blessed about that. When he told me the home health care company would drop it off, dollar signs started going off in my head. Don't get me wrong, we'll pay for whatever we need to do with her, but I feel like paying a ton for formula kind of has us maxed out! Anyways, more on her Friday. I did take some pictures of her today. Here they are...I love them! The outfit she has on I actually got at Gymboree from returning some stuff my Grandma Peterson had bought for Kristin when she was born. I love this outfit. Kristin wore it when she was 3 months old...here's our 13 1/2 pound girl!

The results are in...

All of Haley's tests were negative except the Celiac test(gluten harms the upper intestine - or something) it is still pending...(test is not finished yet). So, she doesn't have Cystic Fibrosis, she doesn't have Anemia, and whatever else they tested her for. That is all great(seriously, it is), but we still have no idea what is wrong...(we will find out the results of the Celiac test tomorrow). Looks like we'll be headed to a GI doc...I'll keep you posted...keep your fingers crossed...

Haley

Well, Haley is 9 months old today. She had her well check up. She is still not gaining weight! She was 13 lbs. 8 oz. Up 1 oz from a week ago. Up less than 10 oz in the past 2 months. The doctor thought I took her off of her formula! NO WAY! I paid for that expensive stuff and she is still drinking it, and it is still not doing anything! She is suppossed to stay on a curve, well, she has leveled off. So, the Doc sent me and Haley to Primary Children's where the took blood and did a series of other tests. They did a sweat test on her to see if she has Cystic Fibrosis. It is a genetic disease, and I honestly don't feel that is what she has, but we will get the results back later this evening. It was a crazy test, consisting of shocking her little arms for 5 minutes, then wrapping them in plastic for 30 minutes. Kyle had the same test done when he was in the hospital when he was 18 months old, but they have changed it since then. Back then, there was no shocking involved. Haley did pretty good. Troy had to hold her arms straight out, they couldn't be bent. The great thing about Primary Children's is that they have a Child Life specialist everywhere! She stayed with us and did things to try to entertain Haley the whole time. That was nice. Anyways, I'm a little stressed out and frustrated. She's 9 months old! I feel like we should have an answer as to what is wrong with her...this trial and error stuff is making me crazy!

Anyways, on a happier note, I have a Jake-ism.
"Mom, I wonder what Haley will sound like when she becomes a human."
hmmmm...what species is she?

And a Kristin-ism
Yesterday, she had an accident in nursery. (she wet her pants) I don't know why, she is being really wierd with being potty trained lately. I don't know what the deal is, she's been potty trained for a year and a half now...anyways, Troy was sitting in my primary class with me, and they came and got him and he took her home and changed her. So, after church, I said, "Kristin, why are you wearing that dress?" She said,"Dad just took me home and wanted to put a different dress on me". I said, "Why did he do that?" She said, "I just got into an accident in nursery" (No, not I had an accident, she got INTO an accident...naughty girl...)

Photos

Okay, I got a new lens for my new camera. It is mainly for portraits. If anyone is wondering what it is, it is a Canon 50mm 1.4. I LOVE IT! I have been playing with it for the past few days. Here is one photo of each of my kids that I love...sorry I keep boring you all with my photos...

SO TRUE!

Okay, you have got to check out this listing on eBay. I got it from a friends blog! It's awesome.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130144061675

I just have to tell you, that my favorite thing about living in Utah is:

Nobody HAS YET to tell me how I have my hands full when I'm out with my kids anywhere!
Okay, we've been here for almost 9 months! That has got to be a record!

Ughh! Gag me!

Okay, tonight was back to school night. We got there, and they had the gym set up like a fair for all the parents to learn about the different things they could be involved in. As I was going around, there was a booth about being a room mother. First of all, that is the LAST thing I would ever want to do, or be. I have no problems going in a few times a month, but room mother? NO THANKS! (Especially in Utah, where they seem to magnify every school activity by about a billion - you might as well be a teacher if you want to spend that much time at the school!) It's not like other places(where we've lived - anyways), where most of the parents work, and don't have time for a bunch of piddly crap. They just stick with the basics. (ie: In Virginia, I was the only mom to volunteer to help out EVER!) Anyways, there was a lady manning the booth, whose son is in Kyle's class. She said(said in a sickly sweet voice), "Now, don't feel bad or anything, but I'm already the room mother, but you could sign up to be a volunteer..." Oh, I wanted to puke all over her feet! FEEL BAD? ARE YOU KIDDING? IT'S ALL YOURS! It made me feel like I was in a really cheesy movie about Cheerleaders moms, or something. Oh well, I guess I learned something new...apparently being Room Mother is something to be proud about and defines you as a person! Dangit! I'm just never going to amount to anything, am I? Oh, I really liked Kyle's teacher. She seemed to try to really personalize learning for each student. We'll see how the year goes!
Disclaimer: I have nothing against room mothers! I am grateful for the service that they give to the schools, the classroom, and to my child. I feel like I need to quote Seinfeld: "Not that there's anything wrong with that..." I just have no time for an undertaking like that!

School, Ears, Lagoon, OH MY!

Kyle started 2nd Grade on Monday! WOW! Where has the time gone? His teacher is Mrs. Adams. He said she is nice. I just hope she's a good teacher...who cares about niceness? That's the one thing I've learned...(in my long history of being a parent of an elementary school child) niceness doesn't matter so much. For some reason, the stricter the teacher, the better Kyle does. I think it goes to show that kids who know that there our boundaries, and rules, do better in school. Anyways, we'll see how it goes. Back to School night is on Thursday, so I'm excited to see his classroom and hear his teachers philosophies on things. Here he is. He was so excited to get to school. He had his friends from last year, run up, then he handed me his backpack and was off playing. That was so great! This is his first year at going to the same school 2 years in a row (well, technically last year was 1/2 a year).

So, we got Kyle off to school. Then, I decided to take Haley into the doctor. She hadn't been sleeping well the past few nights, and that isn't like her. Usually she sleeps from 7p-7a with no waking up, so when she started waking up, I thought there was a problem. I had my friend Heidi (a nurse) look in her ear, but the one ear had too much wax to tell. Sure enough, once the doctor removed the wax, it was obvious that she had an ear infection. Since I was there, I had her weighed. Everyone keeps asking about her, and I have been so positive that this expensive formula was doing the trick, that I've told people she probably weighs about 15 lbs. Well, she weighed in at 13 lbs. 7 oz. Still so tiny. She is 9 months old Monday. We have her Well Check then, so we'll see where she is on the charts...I'm sure not anywhere on it...Here is a picture of our little girl. She was playing with Kristin's sunglasses. You can see her two new teeth. I got her a new outfit (back to school) and it is 3-6 months! After her wearing the same clothes for the last 9 months, I just got sick of them. So, I splurged and got her a new outfit. It's little jeans and this shirt. Gotta love Old Navy!

So, after we got that figured out, we had to go to Lagoon. We had promised the kids (weeks ago) that we would take them to Lagoon. It was Utah Down Syndrome Day, and also buy 1 get 1 free. So, we took Kyle out of school at lunchtime and headed to Lagoon. Since Haley had an ear infection, I really wondered if we should just call it off, but we had been promising the kids, and I just hoped I could keep Haley drugged up enough that she would be okay. I stayed out of the water with her and she ate graham crackers and played. She was good for the most part. The kids LOVED Lagoon. Holy Cow! Kyle wore his Heelies so that he would hit the 50" mark so that he could pretty much ride any ride there. Jake then wanted Heelies. He didn't seem to realize it wouldn't make him an extra 10 inches. We had fun too! We didn't have much time to see much of the park, I was surprised how much it has grown in the past 9 years. I think that was the last time Troy and I had been there. It was fun. We headed home last night at 9:30. I could have swore it was 2 am, I was so exhausted. Here is a picture of Jake and Kristin riding the kiddie rides, while Troy took Kyle to ride a few big ones...

This last picture, I had to put on. Somewhere at my Mom's house, I have a picture of me in these same little boats at Lagoon when I was probably Jake's age. It's so crazy how that little ride is still there after 25 years! This picture isn't the greatest. It is from my old camera, and it was dark, but I still just love how these boats are so old!

Party!

Hey everyone! I am having a Pampered Chef party on Wednesday, August 22 at 6:30 pm. I don't usually do these, but the reason I am doing it, is because I need knives badly and their knives are 20% off this month(for everyone). Whether anyone comes, or not, I still get the discount for the knives. I have to purchase the food we will be eating, so if you want, come, eat a yummy dinner (prepared by someone else) and visit! Everyone's welcome. And, I really don't care if you just come for dinner, and leave your purse in the car. And, if anybody can't come, but there is something you've been wanting, let me know. I am good at shipping things! ;) Hope to see you Wednesday!

Proud owner...

Haley is now the proud owner of 2 new bottom teeth! IT'S ABOUT TIME! She is almost 9 months old and just the past few weeks has been teething! She LOVES popcicles. She never seems to get a brain freeze. Now that she has a pair of fancy teeth, she always bites the ends off!

Another Photo Shoot

I did another photo shoot last night. Luckily, my newfound friend, Heidi, let me take pictures of her 8 day old baby. I am still trying to figure out my camera. I never knew something could be so complex. I am now going to sign up for some classes. I know you people probably aren't interested in my photography, but I wanted to post my FAVORITE picture from last night. This baby, Katie, is a doll. She literally is SO CUTE! FYI, 8 days old (or less) is perfect for a newborn photo session. She just slept through us rearranging her, etc...She got fussy at times, but would immediately settle down. Anyways, thanks Heidi. I think she may have posted more pics on her blog, and I'm going to add her to my list, if you want to check them out! Okay, I couldn't resist. Here are two of my favorites! I took over 200 pics, and so it was SO hard to decide...

Finally!

I have been waiting for my parents to get me some pictures, so this post is a little late. But finally, my mom brought a few pictures over last week, so I am finally posting about the farm. This summer, 3 weekends we spent out at the Farm. My grandma and grandpa Harding live out in Myton and my Uncle Kim built this huge...hmmm...don't know quite how to describe it, but kind of a Recreation/hang-out/water park/swing park/huge sand pile park. My kids LOVE it out there. Kristin calls my Grandparents "The Farms" (She calls them Farmers, so she thinks that The Farms is plural, or something). Anyways, she loves my Grandpa. She says he's nice and shows her the animals. She thinks my Grandma is funny cause she yells at Link (her dog - previously owned by my dad). Kristin has been out there more than the rest of us. She has gone out a few times with my parents. When my brothers all came out to visit, we went out and then afterwards went to Starvation with Troy's dad's waverunners. Here is a huge slide Kim built. Kyle was brave enough after going down with Troy and my brothers to go by himself.



Jake only dared to go down with someone...preferably my brother, Michael.

Here is a picture of the back of Kristin, being held by my mom, with my Grandpa. Actually, in this picture, are all of my living grandparents. My Grandpa Harding, My Grandma Harding on the right (back of her head) and my Grandma Peterson on the left. Hmmm...interesting...anyways...

One of my fondest memories of my grandparents house, is sitting on the back lawn. Kids can play, adults can talk. So, as fun as this park is, I miss sitting on the back lawn. Maybe we'll have to go out this fall, and sit on the back lawn...until then, can't wait until next summer, so we can do it again.

Newborn Photo Shoot

I had my first official Professional Newborn Photo Shoot yesterday. Here are some of my favorite pictures! Oh, this is Kasen Brown - son of Sam and Marenda - brother of Addy.

Here is a picture of the Brown Family! Cute! Cute!

Good Book!

Hey! I just finished an incredible book. I was hooked from page 2. It is called: The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success.

I was really skeptical when I read the Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success. But, it is not a typical "self help" book, it reads entirely as a fiction book. It was a good, easy read. It is about 200 pages, and I read it in about 2 days. I will say, that I wasn't entirely pleased with the ending ( I would love to tell you why, if you've read the book, and hear your take on it - so let me know) but I don't want to spoil this book for anyone. Anyways, it made me want to be a better person, and reminded me of what is important. This is a book I will probably buy - not just get from the library! Enjoy!

Puppies

My dad's dog, Coco, had puppies 11 days ago. We were at my parents house the day she went into labor. (Do dog's go into Labor? Hmmm...) Anyways, she had 6 puppies, about 1 every hour. The puppies are pure bred labrador retrievers. There are 2 yellow labs, and 4 black/brown ones they haven't opened their eyes yet. (We can't tell if they will be black or brown yet, Coco is brown - but all 4 pups look black) The kids have been DYING to hold the puppies. So, on Sunday, I decided to take their picture, and my dad snuck out 2 puppies. Coco was watching us through a chain link fenced whining and really worrying about her pups. It was cute. Here they are!

I liked this picture because Haley is touching a puppy. When I first sat them down, she was sucking her thumb next to Kyle. She looked at the puppy for a minute, popped her thumb out of her mouth, and pet the puppy.

Jake was so excited! This is definately a glimpse into Jake's softer side...

So, if you know anyone who would like a puppy...We ( Troy and I ) refuse to have an animal - we already have 4 - so we will not be bringing a puppy home with us. We told the kids they get to keep 6 puppies for 6 weeks! Lucky kids!

What drought?

Okay. I have been told numerous times that Utah is in a drought. Well, for the past few weeks, it has rained almost every day! In a 30 minute period, it rained over 1 inch! Here are pictures to prove it!

Oh the reason the boys have their arms down to the side, is because they kept jumping up and down and wouldn't hold still for me to take a picture...

Kristin

Well, it's official! My camera was ordered this morning. It's a Canon 30D and I bought an external flash with it. I should have it no later than Tuesday. So, I'm getting all excited, and decided to practice doing a photo shoot with Kristin. All of these I lowered the saturation. A little bit about Kristin...She is 3 years, 2 months, and 27 days old. She is hilarious. She loves to sing and dance. She makes up her own songs. The most recent: Winter Holiday. She just walked around hollering, I mean singing, "What a winter holiday" I think my mom got it on video. She is a super big sister. She loves her brothers. And she LOVES pestering, I mean playing with Haley. Most of the time, Haley giggles, other times, screams. Q: Who spoils you?
A: Grammy spoils me.
Q: How does she spoil you?
A: She puts pretties (rubber bands) in my hair and braids it.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do?
A: Just hide
Q: Do you like your brothers?
A: Yes, because I love them
Q: How much do you love Haley?
A: Way, a lot.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Chicken Nuggets
Q: What is your favorite color?
A: Red (I don't think her dad knows that!)

Q: Who do you admire?
A: You- Mom - because I want you to take me on Jet Ski's all the time

Q: Why do you love our family?
A: Because I like babies.

Q: What is dad's favorite thing to do?
A: Go to work.

Q: What is mom's favorite thing to do?
A: Just give Haley ba-ba's. (bottles)

Q: What is your favorite book?
A: The 3 Little Piggies

Q: Who do you love, Kris?
A: I love you.